Elsie Edwards Partridge, 91, lifelong resident of El Paso, born, July 13, 1932, to Eduardo Alberto Edwards (of Mariano Baeza, Mexico) and Beatriz Gil Sandoval Edwards (of Guadalajara, Mexico) peacefully passed away after a full life on September 8, 2023.
She attended Austin High School where she was Homecoming Queen, 1949 and Outstanding Alumni Ex., 2003. She met her husband, J.D., in the fall of 1950 at Texas Western where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority and was elected as a freshman to the Homecoming Court, while J.D. was Captain of the football team and named to the Little All American College football team. She earned two Masters’ Degrees, one in Spanish and the other in Counseling.
Elsie and J.D. were both respected educators in EPISD and YSID. Their respective career paths intertwined, always focused on community first and naturally became leaders of our community through education and athletics.
Elsie, was EPISD’s first female Athletic Director and one of a few Women Athletic Directors nationwide. During her tenure as an athletic administrator, she promoted equality for all athletes and coaches, the highlight of her career was her steadfast leadership for girls’ equality in sports.
She was directly involved in the implementation of Title IX into EPISD. Prior to Title IX girls could only participate in a high school P.E. class or in an after-school Girls Athletic club. Elsie courageously championed the procurement of girls uniforms, the construction of girls gymnasiums and the hiring of quality coaches for girls’ sports. Under her leadership she successfully advanced the development of girls’ sports at every middle and high school campus in our community.
Both Elsie and J.D. were inducted into El Paso’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Elsie is also honored as a member of El Paso Women’s Hall of Fame.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Eduardo and Beatriz Edwards, husband, J.D. Partridge and sisters, Lupe Gil Peoples and Rosie Edwards.
She is survived by her children: Rebecca Rankin, Russell Partridge, Gail Manago (Mark), Philip Partridge (Mary), Grandchildren: Rachel Ludeman (Matthew), D’Angela Langenkamp (Zachary), JD Partridge, Harrison Rankin (Christine), Margaret Short (Joshua), Robert Partridge, Great Grandchildren: Madison Ludeman, Lucille Ludeman, Jaxon Partridge, Aurora Short, Ashton Rankin.
In lieu of flowers, donate and support your favorite Girls and Boys Athletic Teams or Catholic parish.
A rosary and a Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral— October 10th at 10:00 am. Inurnment at Memorial Pines Cemetery, 3061 Memorial Pines Lane, Sunland Park, NM on October 11th at 11:00 am.
Following the services, the family wishes to extend an invitation to the reception, at Becky's home.
Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Partridge family.
